FSU 2025 Football Preview: Norvell’s Last Stand

It doesn’t need to be said again. 2024 was the worst FSU football season of my lifetime. A 2-10 record and going 1-7 in the ACC. Very unorganized and not competitive and looking totally clueless. It’s painful to think about how good the 2023 team was and how horrendous the 2024 team was.

That’s enough about last year. I truly think this is the last chance for Norvell. This is year six and I think he is out of time. He must recover from the second-worst team in FSU history. He has a tough game right out the gate. Here is my quick breakdown of the 2025 season. I will post the crew’s picks on social media (as creative as they are and hopefully more positive this year).

Game 1: Alabama (8/30/25)

FSU kicks off this important season at home against Alabama. This is the first meeting since 2017 when they met in Atlanta. No surprise to anyone that FSU is opening as nearly a two touchdown underdog. This is an important game to set the tone for the season.Newly renovated Doak is going to be fired up at 3:30. I don’t think that FSU will start with the W but I do think this will be a close game. We all just want to see a massive improvement. FSU loses 27-24.

Game 2: East Texas A&M (9/6/25)

No surprise that we got a noon kickoff for our first ever meeting with East Texas A&M. All I know about them is that their mascot is the Lions and they play in the Southland conference. The team should be coming off an emotional game against Alabama. FSU should win comfortably and get their first W of the 2025 season. If you play the touchddown shots with us, you should be drunk after this one. FSU wins 51-14.   

Game 3: Kent State (9/20/25)

An early bye week and then the Noles are back at home against Kent State. This is also I believe the first meeting between these two teams. This should be another game where FSU wins in comfortable fashion and feels good heading into their ACC opener. Probably another noon kick and hot afternoon in Doak. FSU wins 48-10.

Game 4: @ Virginia (9/26/25)

FSU kicks off ACC play on a Friday night against Virginia. Rumor has it our boy JP will be in attendance cheering on the Noles. This is the first meeting between the two since 2019 in which the Noles lost on the road. FSU holds an overall record of 15-4 against Virginia. I expect this to be win number 16 on a Friday night to start ACC play 1-0. FSU wins 31-20.

Game 5: Miami (10/4/25)

The month of October begins with the next chapter in the FSU/Miami rivalry. FSU was on a nice 3 game winning streak against the Canes until they ran into the Cam Ward led team. FSU overall is 33-36 against the U and this is a chance to inch a bit closer to the overall record of .500 and get back to taking down little brother. I think for this game TC will have some explosive plays and they shut down Carson Beck. Should be a good one. FSU wins 28-24.

Game 6: Pittsburgh (10/11/25)

Another home game in October for FSU as they host Pittsburgh. The last meeting against the Panthers was back in 2023 where the Noles won 24-7. Pittsburgh started off hot last year and then ended up losing six straight. Ouch. This feels like a game that FSU might win comfortably but the score won’t reflect that. FSU wins 27-17.

Game 7: @ Stanford (10/18/25)

Everyone in Tallahassee watching better get their energy drinks or coffee ready. The kickoff for this game is at 10:30 eastern time. The third team on our schedule so far who we have never played. Stanford went 3-9 last year so they were down almost as bad as we were. I think FSU jumps on Stanford early and takes care of business. Everyone getting drunk into Sunday morning! FSU wins 31-13.

Game 8: Wake Forest (11/1/25)

The Noles open up the final month of the season at home against Wake Forest. The last time they met back in 2023 was a dominating 41-16 win for the Noles. I think this game will follow a similar path. This will keep FSU undefeated in the ACC with a tough couple weeks looming. I can't believe I just typed that last statement. FSU wins 38-17.

Game 9: @ Clemson (11/8/25)

Easily the hardest game on the schedule. Many people have Clemson making the playoffs and winning the championship. FSU has lost eight out of its last nine games against Clemson including a 29-13 loss last year. It would be nice to get back to the winning side of this rivalry but sadly I don’t think that will happen this year. Maybe Dabo will trip and fall though? FSU loses 34-24.

Game 10: Virginia Tech (11/15/25)

The home finale for FSU inside Doak will be against the Hokies. FSU won the last meeting a couple years 39-17. The Hokies finished 6-7 and I think this will be a good way for the seniors to go out at home. This for some reason feels like a game where the defense will dominate and maybe even a pick six. FSU wins 34-10.

Game 11: @ N.C. State (11/21/25)

I absolutely hate playing in Raleigh. I hate everything about it. FSU has lost three straight to the Wolfpack and haven’t won in Raleigh since 2016. At this moment in the season FSU is fighting for an ACC championship appearance, but I think the second Friday night game of the season will be a loss. Something painful like a missed FG. Makes me sick. FSU loses 24-21.

Game 12: @ Florida (11/29/25)

We wrap up the regular season per usual against that team down I-75. FSU had their 2 game winning streak snapped last year with a 31-11 loss in Tally (which I was in attendance for). Noles trail the overall series 37-27 and it will be curious to see the shape the Gators are in by the time we reach this game. Like many of the games this year I think this will be a good game. I just think the stupid Gators will be too much for us. I really hope that I am wrong. FSU loses 34-31.

There you have it. I’m predicting an 8-4 (6-2 in the ACC) which would be an amazing improvement from last year. I really think if Norvell goes any worse than 8-4 that is it for him. That means he lost a game or two that he shouldn’t have. I have a feeling many Seminole fans are excited but also very nervous to see how they come out to start the season. How are you feeling about this season? Let me know your season predictions in the comments. 

Cheers and GO NOLES!  

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